|
coffee shop (pg. 4)
|
View this Thread in Original format
| tranceDJ |
| One of the most important things to do is to seperate yourself from starbucks since it really is the "coffeeshop norm." For example there's a shop near me that gives out bumper stickers saying "Friend's don't let friends drink starbucks" lol Basically take the things that make starbucks so successful (nice atmosphere, lots of choices for coffees) and then put your own unique spin on it. |
|
|
| stevieboy32808 |
| quote: | Originally posted by tranceDJ
....Basically take the things that make starbucks so successful (nice atmosphere, lots of choices for coffees) and then put your own unique spin on it. |
This is reverse engineering. Tearing a product apart and restructing it to fit a similar need. Although not illegal in certain instances, I like your method. |
|
|
| igottaknow |
| quote: | Originally posted by stevieboy32808
a. what is a good business plan for a cafe?
Get a demographic of the area. Find out if certain people prefer coffee over other groups of people (race, age group, etc) or vice versa. The young to old ratio. You don't want to sell coffee to a town where 90% of the people drink beer. For example if i were making a prescription drug for senior citizens i would never make the pamphlet in a 3 point type font because they would have trouble reading it. You know....stuff like that.
b. what problems am i likely to face?
Not being able to sell under your own name. You might want to sell under a franchise name such as Starbucks. Those type of coffeeshops sell themselves. There are probably coffeeshops on campus.
c. should i do this?
Based on your statement, your parents would only help you if you open a coffee shop. What if you would rather open a record shop instead. Would they still help you? This is a question you're gonna have to ask yourself.
d. what makes a great coffee shop? (id have edm on sat. nights or something along those lines)
Environment mostly. Cushion chairs, sofas, the enticing aroma. For example Mc Donalds uses these uncomfortable chairs in their fast food restaurants to make people leave faster, hence the fast food aspect. Their trademark colors red and yellow induce a hunger effect according to certain studies.
e. what foods/drinks are most popular.
you should have a variety for every taste when it comes to coffee. Depending on your shop you might want to include french pastries and tasty/pricey-looking desserts. |
lots of good points. another i'd add is:
college students tend to be cheap bastards. When i was in college the priority list was something like:
1. drugs (beer and pot)
2. fast food (pizza, burgers)
3. sweets (soda, candy)
4. entertainment (concert/club/cds/movies)
coffee would be last on list if at all.
The bulk of your business will be working adults. So, I hope you like getting up at the crack of dawn to serving grumpy impatient ppl running off to their jobs. |
|
|
| Xenocreator_PG_ |
I am going to expand of the human milk cafe idea
Imagine having a cafe where 10 lactating women sit in glass booths with their bosoms hanging out. Attached to their boobs are those cow milking machines that suck on the nip nips. Now customers can get a cup of coffee & then go over to the booths & select the type of milk they want. They can choose fromt he following:
-Black Blend
-White Blend
-Asian Blend
-lait français (French)
-Italian miscela
-Indian Blend
-Native American Blend
-Australian Aboringinal Blend
-Russian cream
-leche española caliente de pezón
-Dutch Marihuana melk
The customer will then makes his/her selection & press the 'milking button' & the machine will start sucking the milk out of the womans boobs & the milk will travel through a series of tubes to a tap & into the customers cup. |
|
|
| stevieboy32808 |
| quote: | Originally posted by igottaknow
....college students tend to be cheap bastards. When i was in college the priority list was something like.... |
Thanks and lol at the cheap bastards comment cuz I'm one of them. My broke self.:haha: |
|
|
| Moongoose |
Thats rather interesting, over here coffe is theholly drink of student being at an equal standings with beer :D Thereis no student i know that would exchange his morning cup of extra strong coffe for drugs, foor or entertainment.
It such a nice sight at 6.30am when you walk into a classroom and see everyone drinking his cup of coffe...then the professor walks in and he is holding two :D |
|
|
| pen² |
| quote: | Originally posted by Marc Summers
My advice is to conform and play they like... those damn turtleneck wearing, acoustic playing, poontangs. Tell them to shave |
This guy knows what he is talkin about.
Oh and make sure to have wifi for their powerbooks and ...
Oh and an open mic night never hurts.... :stongue: |
|
|
| pooley |
Yea you said coffeshop but maybe it would be nice to offer an alternative like tea ! :)
Lotsa choices and >> coffee anyways.
Wireless internet in your shop is also a +, just something to make you 'different' from the other shops (dunno if starbucks etc. have that...) |
|
|
| wizniz |
alright heres what ive gathered from you guys that i see being my priorities:
selection (coffees, smoothies, teas, frappes, cappuchinos, etc)
atmosphere (artwork, mood lighting, comfy couches and chairs that DONT match at all, great music)
price (ranging from cheap ass sweets and effective coffee to medium-high end stuff hand picked by taste)
customer base (burnt out college kids, bohemian adults, business types, studiers)
events (open mic night, local bands (funk - folk), treat customers like royalty days (for staff... prob just me and a friend).
yes well you say i should research it before i do it and this is the first step in doing just that.
besides my mom isnt going to help unless its completely feasable.
thx for the posts so far |
|
|
| igottaknow |
| quote: | Originally posted by wizniz
besides my mom isnt going to help unless its completely feasable. |
I can sleep with your mom and maybe I can help talk her into over a cafe latte in the morning.
| quote: | | thx for the posts so far |
you just jinxed urself :p |
|
|
| dinoXpress |
| quote: | Originally posted by wizniz
alright heres what ive gathered from you guys that i see being my priorities:
selection (coffees, smoothies, teas, frappes, cappuchinos, etc)
atmosphere (artwork, mood lighting, comfy couches and chairs that DONT match at all, great music)
price (ranging from cheap ass sweets and effective coffee to medium-high end stuff hand picked by taste)
customer base (burnt out college kids, bohemian adults, business types, studiers)
events (open mic night, local bands (funk - folk), treat customers like royalty days (for staff... prob just me and a friend).
yes well you say i should research it before i do it and this is the first step in doing just that.
besides my mom isnt going to help unless its completely feasable.
thx for the posts so far |
Make sure the couches dont match but make sure they are clean and like dark naturally colours..
And about staff.. you are def gonna need more than you and your friend.. have you seen starbucks are the peak periods? Holy CHIT man!, buncha wild aminals! |
|
|
| Estella |
aminals! :haha:
Sorry, Wiz. I'm guess I"m the one to be the sellout. :( But if I was to have a business, I would want a professional clientele, because I wouldn't want to risk my head being above water by means of broke college kids. I would direct my services to those so called "bohemian adults" and of business. I think you should go modern for the artistic side a mix of contemporary as well for the business folk. I like the idea of earthy colors as Dino said. I would also have dim lighting and lounge music. I think candles always, always create a warm ambiance. There is a shop here that doesn't open until 5pm. I know that may deter lots of guests but I kinda liked the idea. Those who would wait until the evening I would assume be the most faithful guests. You should import chocolates! And have THAI tea! Thai, not Chai. I can't ever find that anywhere:whip: There's a little shop here that has some exotic roasts just laying out in barrels, which you were able to purchase and take a bag home. Maybe you could do featured blends and host.. tastings? Experiment with drinks and concoctions. and murals! painted murals. I love murals. Oh yes. You could do a little, quaint scenic Italy or Paris. Hire an artist to collage all over the walls. And plants! And nothing sells like sexy employees and a stripper pole in the darkest corner next to the mens bathroom. :wtf: |
|
|
|
|
